[Check the end of the chapter for notes.]
Thank you, @Waterpolo_singer. Your Name - marittimam oram - is amazing and perfect for the story ! Your explination helped me understand and dedication is what fuels me to write. Now, on to the story!
" Mari.. " Her eyes shown with curiousity, and an innocence you missed dearly within yourself.
" We'll call you Mari. "
In the future, when she is older and can understand it, You'll tell her the meaning. She seems pretty entertained by just the principle of it now. Her hair was slick and silky when you pushed it back, face instantly lighting up once you spoke. She took the name into account for a good minute, tilting her head from side to side.
As if on beat, she let out a giggle, cute and hope-filled enough to rid your heart of all tension for a few seconds. " I lub it! " She pushed her head closer to your side, engulfing you into another hug. You sighed lovingly at your daughter, pinching her cheek.
She squeaked and moved around, earning a happy laugh for you. She's... She's perfect. If she is all you get in reparations from being trapped down here, you think you'll be just fine. A few minutes pass and you settle down, just staring off while she waddled around and played with random things - You've made it a habit, being in a cave for so long. Did you know, the human's peripheral vision shrinks to the size of the enviornment they're intrapped in? It's called tunnel vision. What a joke.
You went to tell your kid of the somber fact, and noticed she stopped moving or talking and wasn't facing you anymore.
You begin to worry again.
" Hey.
What's wrong? " You tapped her fin, biting the side of your cheek.
She made a fussy noise, not really responding.
"..... Are.. you thinking about Daddy? "
You turned her so she made eye contact with you, but she hesitantly avoided it.
"....No. "
" You know. . you can tell me anything, right? "
" Yesh. "
" Even if it makes you scared. "
Taking a deep breath in, you stood and held out a hand; soon, her small, webbed extremities clamped around yours. You could tell she felt protected around you.
" I want to show you your gift. Wanna tell me about the outside? "
She hummed a bit and swayed childishly, laughing a little.
" I shaw a fewww people, Daddy told me not to but I wantedta say hi. So I said 'Hii!' "
She waved her hands and talked real loud - in order to impress her mother, of course. You chuckled (goal!) and began uncovering something from a pile of clothes.
" That's great sweetie. "
Your words were now reduced to a whisper, a kid-like excitement hidden in your voice.
" Okeh. We gotta talk reaaal quiet. Can you do that, Mari? "
" Mari can do that. "
" Good.. " You took out a small jar, a little clownfish swimming around dully. You apologized for keeping him away from the water for so long, but he was nice and warm up here.
" Remember the fish I asked you to get, since you always saw him swimming around in the water alone? "
She nodded so hard she moved her entire upper body.
" I got him before Koi could take him. He is your buddy now. Name him? "
You passed the plastic jar to the girl, watching her press her nose against it.
" Woawww... two Names in a day. "
She loud out a soft "Uhhh" before pushing it arms-legnth away.
" E. "
" Just E? "
" Hyeah. Can I go play with them? "
" Go nuts. Merry christmas ! Don't talk to strangefish, alright? " She bounced up and tried her best to steady the jar in her hands, out of sight in a flash.
" Fish c-can't talk! " she laughed happily, running over to the ledge.
You didn't hear her dive; Well, more importantly, you heard her footsteps stop altogether. Trailing the child anxiously, you scanned the area for any sign of imminent danger. You halted behind her and watched her hide the present behind her back with great haste.
Ah. Your 'mate' was still here - You were having a such a good time you almost forgot. It's not all bad though, maybe you should invite him to join the party.
" Hey, Koi. "
" Evening. "
" Mari was just about to go play with her Christmas present, werent ya, guppie? " You scritched her head, making her pay attention.
" Maybe you could join her? " You gave a hopeful smile. Koi gave the most obnoxious, exasperated sigh you've ever heard, a twinge of anger starting up in your body.
" I won't be joining her. "
" Ah.. That's too bad. " He slowly locked eyes with Mari as you spoke, Rising to the other side of the edge.
" It is, isn't it? "
You watched him give her the most rancorous look you've ever seen. Mari said a quick "Bye ma-ma" and hauled webbed ass, going underwater before either of you could even reply. You waited for Mari to skitter away completely and grabbed him by the arm, reciprocating the glare before his softened. The air then added about 15 pounds to itself while you seethed silently at Koi.
You were pissed, but you had to keep your voice down. For her.
" First you demand a child - drive me to wits end over it - and you don't want her? What is wrong with you? " You grumbled through clenched teeth, carefully eying the spot your daughter left by.
" That ...thing is not my child. "
" What! She's perfectly fine! We've been over this! "
He grabbed the middle of the arm that held him in place, easily overpowering you. Your intentions never came off as intimidating as his.
" She's not worthy enough to be taking up so much of your time. The weakling - She can't even speak. "
You scoffed and sneered at him, trying to rip your arm away.
" She's learning! She's not even 5 yet, and she knows basic grammar! You're becoming dangerously arid. "
" Learn your place, " He hissed, The merman always hated having to repeat himself. " You are mine, not some gullible little child's - Stop giving her all of your time! " His voice amplified dangerously quickly, his other arm moving with the intention of letting him push himself onto land as well.
" G-Get it through your thick skull! She's ours. You could always join in on fun, but you refuse to even go near her sometimes - "
You reeled back before squinting, eyes darting around the place in thought. An important topic needed to be discussed, but you forgot about it. What was it?
" I don't go near her because she's a deleterious little shrimp. I demand a better child, or no child at all! "
No child at all.. All was quiet, even the cave's echo seemed to grow afarid to hear.
" ..What are you insinuating that you'll do to my daughter? "
" See! You've never stood up for or cared that much about me, yet you sympathise with a degenerative embarrassment.
I'll always love you, but if you continue being selfish with your love, I'll.. I-I'll.." He swallowed roughly.
Furrowing your eyebrows, you let your face sink into a serious look of surprise. He's censured her for so long, and you've never understood the reason other than his stupid tug-of-war for admiration. This argument wasn't going anywhere, but you couldn't help but press on,
" I could've left a long time ago, and I didn't. We have a child that you refuse to like because you're jealous?! "
" You're more than correct that I'm jealous.
And if you don't get her clingyness under control, believe your punishment will make you wish we just had another kid.
Don't.. make it hard for yourself... " He slipped out of your grip (Damn you, you water bastard) and shot down into the water, amused watching you stumble to the edge after him.
--
A/N: Sorry! You'll never be happy as long as Koi is a Yandere. ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿
Live with it. I guess. The end.